Ahead Of Local Polls, Jammu Leaders Freed From House Arrest

Nearly two months after the government scrapped special status for Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 and imposed a security lockdown, the administration has ended the house arrest of all politicians in Jammu. Their counterparts in the Kashmir Valley, however, remain under detention or house arrest.
The Jammu leaders who were under house arrest have been released and restrictions around them have been removed, official sources said. The decision was taken days after the government announced election for the Block Development Council, the second tier of the Panchayat Raj system in the state.
Official sources say that since Jammu region is peaceful, the decision to release political detainees was taken after the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Election Officer announced polling for the Block Development Council election on Monday.